Luminis Health Unveils TeamBirth Program to Improve Maternal Health and Reduce Infant Mortality

Annapolis, MD – At a celebratory ceremony attended by community leaders, clinicians, and advocates, Luminis Health unveiled its new TeamBirth program today at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. The event marked an advancement in perinatal care, aimed at improving birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality across Maryland. With this launch, Luminis Health becomes the first health system in the state to implement this proven model of care.

TeamBirth is an evidence-based initiative that promotes transparency and teamwork in perinatal care. At its core is a simple yet powerful tool: a planning board in each birthing room that allows patients, nurses, midwives, and physicians to align on care plans, share updates, and make decisions together. While aspects of this communication already occur, TeamBirth introduces greater consistency, clarity, and accountability. It enhances existing care practices by standardizing communication and fostering a shared approach, empowering teams to deliver safer, more respectful, and continuously improving care tailored to each patient’s needs.  

“TeamBirth is about making sure every patient has a voice during one of the most critical and joyous moments of their life,” said Dr. Monica Jones, system chair of Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s Service Line. “By fostering open communication and shared decision-making, we are adding another layer of safety and empowerment to the childbirth experience. Our teams are committed to delivering exceptional quality patient-centered care, while advancing birth equity for everyone who seeks our services.”

Despite advances in modern medicine, the U.S. continues to face alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality overall.  Luminis Health has taken significant steps in recent years to address the maternal health crisis and reduce disparities in care, including:

• Requiring implicit bias education and training for all maternal care staff
• Implementing strategies to reduce C-Section rates
• Encouraging the use of doulas and nurse midwives to provide continuous, culturally responsive support during labor
• Launched CenteringPregnancy® programs in both Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties to improve prenatal care through group-based education and support

“At Luminis Health, we believe that by using evidence-based programs and listening to the people and communities we serve, we can end the maternal health crisis,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “Eliminating maternal and infant mortality is one of the bold goals outlined in our Vision 2030 strategic plan, and our teams remain dedicated to expanding access at every level of care.” 

Today’s event featured remarks from Luminis Health executive and clinical leaders and patient advocates, a demonstration of the TeamBirth toolkit, and opportunities for attendees to engage with members of the labor and delivery team. The announcement took place in the Rebecca M. Clatanoff Pavilion, which is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year. Since 1995, the Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center has been a trusted space for families, where more than 145,000 babies have been born, making it one of the busiest birth centers in Maryland and a special part of the community.  

The TeamBirth program is fully funded through the generosity of long-time supporters of the hospital. “We are deeply grateful to our generous donors whose support makes innovative programs like TeamBirth possible,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Their gifts directly enhances the quality of care we provide and help us better serve the families in our community—a community we’ve proudly served as a trusted place of care for more than 120 years.” 

Luminis Health also plans to implement the TeamBirth model at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham when it adds inpatient obstetric services. Scheduled to open in 2028, the new women’s health center is expected to deliver approximately 2,000 babies a year once fully operational.

Implemented by Unravel Healthcare, TeamBirth was developed by Ariadne Labs, a joint center for health systems innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, MA.